I have LOUD WOMEN Fest to thank for getting me into so many bands over the last few years, as I’ve seen so many at one of the fests and followed them since. One of those bands is Bugeye, one of my favourites from the 2024 festival – I immediately loved their disco punk, Le Tigre style vibes. So I was very happy to be seeing them again, this time at The Lexington, supporting Tiny Stills (who were new to me) and Cheerbleederz (who I have reviewed an album and an EP from). So for me, while I was primarily going to see Bugeye, it was a bonus to have another band I was familiar with but yet to see, and a fresh one for my willing ears.
The room itself felt warm and welcoming from the very start — packed early on, with the audience giving equal attention and energy to all three bands. It genuinely felt like every act had equal billing, which set the tone for a night rooted in community.
As expected, Bugeye were my favourite of the night. They are everything I love in music- fun, punky, danceable, and a group of brilliant, patriarchy-smashing women. They looked effortlessly cool on stage, completely at ease, and clearly loving what they do, which made it impossible not to get swept up in it. Every song they played was catchy as fuck and impossible not to dance to.
A standout moment was ‘This Ain’t a Love Song’, which went down an absolute treat, especially its chant-along chorus: “You’re a dick, you’re a dick, you’re a dick!” – the kind of line that feels tailor made for a packed room shouting it back in unison. And I’m sorry, but isn’t their latest single ‘Comfortably Numb’ — not actually a Pink Floyd cover- but instead a synth-filled disco punk banger, actually the coolest thing ever? Bugeye brought pure joy, the kind that reminds you exactly why live music matters.
Next up were Tiny Stills, a band from Los Angeles who were minus one member due to illness but still pulled off a great set. They made jokes about learning English slang like ‘bits and bobs’ and ‘apples and pears’, and spoke about one member’s baby being in the audience experiencing her first rock concert — a detail that added to the already wholesome feel of the night.
Musically, they leaned towards pop rock, but their set also brought a more introspective and vulnerable energy into the room. The singer shared a couple of slower songs — one about speaking up about her assault (which the audience showed massive appreciation for both before and after), and another about grief. It was a noticeable shift in tone, but one that the audience fully held space for.
They ended with ‘Everything’s Going Great’. Having recorded a split EP with Cheerbleederz where they’ve covered each other’s songs, Cheerbleederz joined them on stage for this one, which delighted the audience. Their connection felt genuine and warm — the kind of camaraderie that can’t be faked.
The final band were Cheerbleederz, who are an excellent blend of sweetness and punk. I particularly enjoyed hearing ‘Passenger Princess’ from their latest EP Prove Me Wrong and ‘Cute as Hell’ from their album Even In Jest. Babies seemed to be a running theme of the night, as it was mentioned one member is pregnant, adding another layer of softness to the evening.
They ended with ‘Nailbiters’, with Tiny Stills joining them on stage once again. Moments like this really highlighted the sense of community running through the whole night — not just between the bands, but between the bands and the audience too. The support felt mutual, the joy shared.
Overall, this was a night that felt about more than just three bands playing sets. It was about connection, about showing up for each other, and about creating something collective — especially in times that can feel pretty heavy. It felt supportive, joyful, and full of love, with just the right amount of punk energy thrown in for good measure.
Bugeye Socials: Instagram/Facebook
Tiny Stills Socials: Facebook/Instagram
Cheerbleederz Socials: Instagram/Facebook
Review by Hayley Foster da Silva
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